Bibliography

Date first published
ISBN Number	978 0 00 733172 7
Page Count	480 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

The Penobscot Expedition is an extraordinary story, one that has fascinated the author for years, and will now fascinate his readers.

Summer 1779, a British force of fewer than one thousand Scottish infantry were sent to build a garrison in the State of Maine. The war of Independence was in its third year and no other British troops stood between Canada and New York.

The State of Massachusetts was determined to expel the British, but when they sent a fleet of forty vessels to ‘captivate, kill and destroy‘ they underestimated their enemies, calm in battle and ready for victory.

Told from both sides of the battle, the main characters are all real figures from history. Based on diaries, letters and court transcripts, we meet many of the war’s greatest heroes, including Paul Revere and John Moore, each of whom become famous subjects of war poetry.

Review

Whilst technically a well written book this story didn't really grab me and draw me in as other Cornwell stories have done. All the ingredients are there, two opposing armies getting ready to fight for what they believe is right. The problem is in trying to write the story from both sides at the same time the story loses some cohesion. Possibly because you are trying to keep up with who's who. The story doesn't really focus on a particular person, and unlike Sharpe and his band of chosen men, you don't get to empathise with them, they are just names on a page.

The other problem that you are faced with is the fact that in reality Penobscot, is two theatres of war - land and sea, and this further stretches the readers concentration. The other issue is the American attitude to the attack, and in fact this is probably the biggest problem. How could the Americans be so dumb in this instance. The story of mismanagement seems to have come straight out of a Mel Brooks film.

In military terms, this should have been a simple win for the American Forces. If they had attacked the out post immediately after capturing the bluff, it would have been over within hours. However egos of the main American leaders seem to have won the day, and lost the battle.

It is the battle of egos which perhaps turns me off the book. The constant bickering between the main parties, slows the story down and delays the matter of the action, however this is probably a difficult area, as without the attention to the dissent between the Americans the whole escapade makes no sense. Paul Revere is a peculiar case in point. Do I like him or loathe him? Certainly his arrogance and refusal to obey orders seems to have helped the British cause, but as a human being I found him tiresome.

The story certainly throws up some interesting issues, such as what would have happened if the navy had followed through the attack on the British line. There seems to have been a lack of willingness to take a risk, and if I have learnt anything from history, it is usually the commanders who are willing to gamble that usually end up with the glory.

From the British point of view, they really only had to keep watch and wait. There was no advantage to be gained in a full frontal assault. Peleg Wadsworth appeared to be the only officer willing to launch an attack, and if in charge I think he would have won the day. it is obvious that Maclean was not willing to see his men slaughtered, and would have surrendered early on in the attack. This would have been a courageous act, some would see it as cowardice, however what is the point of men being killed when there is no chance of victory? As it was Maclean could keep control and his men free from prisoner of war camps ready to escape when the government decreed it.

An interesting book, but one more for the historians, rather than a riot of action and adventure.

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